According to a report by Daily Mail, living near busy roads, railways, or flight paths increases the likelihood of a . This risk persists even in areas with low air pollution levels.
The study involved over 26,000 Danish men aged 65 to 74. For forty years, researchers monitored the impact of transportation noise and air quality around their homes.
Study Results
It was found that an increase in by 15 decibels—roughly the difference between a quiet street and a busy avenue—raises the risk of stroke by 12%. Residents living near highways, railways, or under flight paths were found to be the most vulnerable.
Interestingly, prolonged exposure to polluted air (such as nitrogen dioxide or sulfur) did not have as clear an impact as noise did.
Scientists’ Explanation
Dr. Stefan Mainz from Odense University Hospital explains that constant noise disrupts sleep, increases stress levels, and ultimately affects cardiovascular health. “It’s not about isolated loud events, but rather chronic background noise that harms health day in and day out,” he emphasized.
What Can Be Done
Experts recommend:
- choosing a quieter room for sleep, away from the street;
- sealing windows and installing quality glazing;
- local authorities should reduce traffic speed at night, use noise-absorbing asphalt, and reroute trucks away from residential areas.
The Scale of the Problem
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of and disability. In the UK, over 100,000 strokes occur each year, resulting in 38,000 deaths. In the U.S., this number reaches nearly 800,000 cases annually, with over 137,000 fatalities.
Experts stress that monitoring noise levels in cities should become part of public health policy, as it affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Photo: Openverse
